Sydney's best free weekly club nights

THURSDAY
Arq 
Unlike Friday and Saturday nights at ARQ where the cover charge is up around the $25 mark, Thursday night entry doesn't cost a cent. And once inside you'll find some of the best drag talent in town. Following on from The Beyoncé Experience and High School Musical, the new show is Burlesque, and Minnie Cooper, Charisma Belle, Decoda Secret and Vanity Faire sure do give Cher and Xtina a run for their money. As usual Alex Taylor and Kitty Glitter will be on the decks giving the club's sound system the workout it deserves, but go easy on the Smirnoff Double Blacks – it is a school night. 

FRIDAY
Movement
Niche Productions have long been champions of the underground music scene. They've toured the likes of drum'n'bass king Callibre, Massive Attack's Horace Andy, Brainfeeder boy Lorn and Radio 1's Benji B and recently the edgy promotions and touring company took over Friday nights at the Beach Road. Movement sees resident DJs Kato, Victim, Huwston, Mason & Bennett (Paper Plane Project) and Preacha rotate week to week, treating the crowd to dubstep, future beat, wonky, hip hop and leftfield house. This is the weekly to check out if you're interested in underground beats that you wouldn't normally find on Sydney's dance floors.

Yo Grito!
If garage, punk, fuzz and soul are more your speed, then head for Yo Grito! – the free weekly rock'n'roll mess hall in the GoodGod front bar. King Opp (Straight Arrows), Daniel Darling (Kill City Creeps), Silky Doyle and Jimmy Sing man the decks and the raucous shindig is the perfect excuse to slam down some of the Dip's delicious offerings.

SATURDAY
The Lansdowne
It's opposite Sydney University and students have long known that the Lando's got some of the best in cheap, cheap meals and beer you could hope for. It's also a haven for live bands, as one of the city's only regular venues without a door charge. The PA and stage were upgraded earlier this year, as was the calibre of acts booked for the room, and it's lately become the venue of choice for discerning indie bands from around the country. Live music Thu–Sat. FREE.

SUNDAY
Sunhaze
Future Classic, the boys responsible for Adult Disco at the Civic and bringing huge international DJs including Tevo Howard, Jacques Renault and Classixx to our shores for one-off shows, take over the Alex every Sunday. Occasional internationals, who have included Berlin boy Ewan Pearson playing his only Sydney set, join the Future Classic DJs to play house, minimal and techno in the Alex's leafy beer garden. Bring the kids, order a counter lunch, and farewell another weekend, or overcome a hangover, with some seriously good music. 

Death Strobe Sunday Sesh 
If you'd prefer to get down to disco as you wrap up the weekend, then opt for Hunky Dory Social Club. The Death Strobe DJs (and regular special guests) spin classic, italo- and nu- disco as the sun sets over Oxford Street. And Ash and Andy won't even charge you for the privilege.